Originally posted by Cathérine Bergeyck@Aug 26th, 2003 - 3:10 pm May 21, 2003 Brussels, Belgium --- Princess Claire (L) and Queen Fabiola of Beligum accompany their royal Norwegian guests on a visit of the Ancient Art Museum in Brussels. Norway&#39;s king and queen are on a 3-day visit of Belgium.

Besides Claire looking stikingly beautiful, I must admit that Quuen Fabiola does the same (for a woman of her age). I know she took a terrible "dip" when her husband died, but in this photo, she&#39;s sort of got a "twinkle" in her eyes and is immaculately dressed in black.

Originally posted by Alexandria@Jul 22nd, 2003 - 6:21 pmwww.rexfeatures.com - Prince Laurent at the Natinoal Day festivities celebrating the 10th anniversary of the reign of King Albert II. Brussels, Belgium, 21 July 2003

Well, here he is&#33; The 2nd son of Belgium Royal Family ~ Prince Laurent. Thanks, Alexandria and Catherine Bergeyk, and "many others" for posting photos of this couple. I viewed this entire site and Laurent and Claire appear to be very close and eager to serve their country ... and, Wow, another royal baby on the way plus a couple of weddings also scheduled in 2004. " .. love is in the air .. "

Princess Claire is more beautiful than ever. She is even more glowing especially that she is pregnant. I know that both the Royal Family and the Belgians are very happy for them.

I loved her dress because it&#39;s simple yet looks very good on her. One thing that really makes Princess Claire very beautiful is that she is very cheerful. She always smiles and she loves to be with a crowd.

This is just my opinion, but couldn&#39;t they look for another name aside from Louise? It&#39;s already the name of Lady Louise, the daughter of the Earl and Countess of Wessex. I just love to hear another set of new names just like the names of Princess Catharina-Amalia of Netherlands.

__________________Never let go of anyone that you could not go a day without thinking about. There just might be a very good reason why they're always on your mind. Sometimes, it's the brain that knows too well what the heart tries so hard to deny~ ~ Anonymous ~ ~

Princess Claire is more beautiful than ever. She is even more glowing especially that she is pregnant. I know that both the Royal Family and the Belgians are very happy for them.

I loved her dress because it&#39;s simple yet looks very good on her. One thing that really makes Princess Claire very beautiful is that she is very cheerful. She always smiles and she loves to be with a crowd.

This is just my opinion, but couldn&#39;t they look for another name aside from Louise? It&#39;s already the name of Lady Louise, the daughter of the Earl and Countess of Wessex. I just love to hear another set of new names just like the names of Princess Catharina-Amalia of Netherlands.

you cant takes names from Earl and Countess&#39;s daughter name you know that but please takes another name for Prince Laurent and Princess Claire&#39;s baby names but both wanted name after honour will be

Originally posted by sara1981@Jan 17th, 2004 - 3:31 pm you cant takes names from Earl and Countess&#39;s daughter name you know that but please takes another name for Prince Laurent and Princess Claire&#39;s baby names but both wanted name after honour will be

Sara Boyce

They&#39;re not really "taking" the name of Louise if that is what they want to name their daughter as the name does not exclusively belong to the British royals. But if you go along this line, &#39;technically,&#39; Edward and Louise "took" the name of Louise from Laurent and Claire as I believe Laurent let it slip earlier this summer that he and Claire were going to have a girl and that her name would be Louise -- which is before Edward and Sophie had their daughter and named her.

... From the Benelux Royals Message board, posted by Netty:

According to my Belgian tv-text Princess Claire&#39;s grandmother Marie-Louise Mertens told Het Laatste Nieuws (a newspaper) today that normally spoken Princess Claire will give birth on Saturday, February 7, 2004. "The birth of the girl with the name of Louise is counted out for that day."

I know they are both very excited and happy for the birth of their first child.

Congratulations to the Prince and Princess, the royal family and to all the Belgians.

__________________Never let go of anyone that you could not go a day without thinking about. There just might be a very good reason why they're always on your mind. Sometimes, it's the brain that knows too well what the heart tries so hard to deny~ ~ Anonymous ~ ~

__________________Never let go of anyone that you could not go a day without thinking about. There just might be a very good reason why they're always on your mind. Sometimes, it's the brain that knows too well what the heart tries so hard to deny~ ~ Anonymous ~ ~

So, is there a babywatch with this young offspring? Or is there less anticipation because unlike Gabriel, Princess "Louise" (or did Laurent & Claire change their minds about this one) would only be number 11 or so in line to the throne?

This is rather exciting-every single royal offspring 2003/2004- with the exception of Prince Gabriel and some other boys I don&#39;t know of...but the more known offspring have been female. In no order:
a) Maud Angelica Behn (NOrway)
B) Princess Laeticia Maria of Belgium
c) Lady Louise Windsor (Britain)
d) Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands
e) Princess Vittoria of Savoy (Savoia?)
f) Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway
g) Eloise Taylor (Britain)
h) Maria Teresa von Lattorff (Liechtenstein)

...Well you get the point. If their child is a girl, then it&#39;ll add to the future of queens and princesses in Europe.